As of now, DKV customers will also be able to settle tolls in Bulgaria via their DKV BOX EUROPE. The route-related tickets can still be ordered conveniently online via the toll operator portal or mobile app. Additionally, the customer data, vehicle data and regular routes are available in the DKV’s customer portal. The DKV BOX EUROPE is the perfect one box solution for customers who drive through Bulgaria, whether or not on a regular basis. Besides Bulgaria, the DKV BOX EUROPE is also accepted in Germany, Belgium, France, Austria, Spain, Portugal as well as at the Warnow crossing (DE), the Herren Tunnel (DE) and the Liefkenshoektunnel (BE). In the near future, the box is to settle all relevant tolls in Europe.
“In Bulgaria, DKV already offers toll settlement in cooperation with the national toll operator. We are proud to be able to offer our customers a further possibility to settle the Bulgarian toll with our DKV BOX EUROPE,” explained Jérôme Lejeune, Managing Director Toll at DKV. Bulgaria has recently introduced a new satellite-based toll system for all motorways and national roads. All vehicles are subject to tolls in Bulgaria. Tolls vary depending on the distance driven, pollutant class, number of axles, vehicle weight and vehicle category. Bulgaria is considered an important transit country between Central Europe and the Middle East. Several pan-European transport corridors run through the Balkan state on the Black Sea.
Mobility service provider drives digitization forward and puts its full trust in Connected Fueling technology
Meanwhile, the mobility service provider DKV Mobility puts its full trust in the independent mobile payment platform of the smart mobility provider PACE, in yet another move towards digitalization. The Karlsruhe-based start-up is one of the technologically leading providers of connected car services. The core product Connected Fueling offers drivers the possibility to pay their fuel bill with their smartphone directly at the gas stations. This eliminates waiting times at the payment counter and allows drivers to receive their e-receipts directly on their mobile. The contactless payment function also helps to reduce the risk of infection, especially in times of corona, by reducing social contacts during payment. Fuel companies can also use the platform to offer end customers services tailored to their specific needs, such as car wash. The neutral platform is open to all fuel companies, POS system providers and OEMs and is on its way to becoming the central technology for the digitalization of the fuel industry in Europe. DKV and PACE have agreed on a strategic partnership and DKV is acquiring a minority stake in PACE.
“By acquiring a stake in PACE, we are progressively expanding our digitalization sphere”, says Marco van Kalleveen, CEO of DKV Mobility. “The strategic alliance with one of the leading Connected Car Services providers will help us to successfully shape the rapidly advancing digitalization in the fuel industry together with our customers and our partners”. Dr. Martin Kern, Co-Managing Director at PACE, adds: “For us, the partnership with DKV Mobility is a solid confirmation that we have done many things right in building up connectedfueling.com over the past few years. We are very much looking forward to this collaboration with the market leader in Europe on this innovative topic. Together with DKV, we want to establish the leading open marketplace for mobile payment”. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the total amount of the transaction.
PACE Telematics, based in Karlsruhe, is one of the technologically leading providers in the field of Connected Car Services. PACE operates a manufacturer-independent, cloud-based Automotive Big Data and IoT platform. With its technology, the Karlsruhe start-up offers Connected Car solutions for B2B and private customers. The central product is the platform connectedfueling.com. For end customers, PACE also offers the free PACE Drive App (for iOS and Android), with which mobile payment at the fuel pump can be used without further costs or obligations. The PACE Drive App also includes a fuel station search with price comparison in real time.
